Radio Atlantic, IA – AM 1220

Iowa Education Funding Fight

February 4th, 2012 by Chris Parks

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Democrats plan to push for a $122 million boost in spending on local schools, but Republicans warn they won’t agree to a budget until legislators overhaul the school finance system.

Democrats argue that local school officials need quick action so they can plan for hiring teachers and setting curriculum. Republicans counter that voters are willing to spend more on schools but want district administrators held accountable and for spending to be targeted.

The stakes are high because school spending amounts to about 60 percent of the state’s $6 billion budget.

Democrats say they’ll vote on a budget Tuesday, noting a law that calls for school funding decisions to be made in the first 30 days of a legislative session. Republicans say other school funding issues must be resolved first.